Board of Health

Fall Vaccines

September is the right time to plan ahead for flu season and to ask your healthcare provider about the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Both vaccines are typically available at local pharmacies and health centers beginning this month. Getting vaccinated before winter gives your immune system time to build protection before respiratory viruses become more active. This is especially important for older adults, young children, pregnant women, and anyone with an underlying health condition. If cost or access is a barrier, MassHealth and most private insurance plans cover both vaccines at no cost.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) protection for older adults, pregnant individuals, infants, and high-risk young children. Check with your provider. Unlike flu and Covid vaccines, RSV vaccination does not have to be repeated if you’ve already received it once.

Suicide Prevention Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Let’s acknowledge together that mental health struggles are real and common. Some people may find it difficult to talk about this, leaving them isolated and alone when we most need support and company. Let’s relax any stigma and shame around this and remind each other that we can talk openly when there is a concern. If someone you know seems withdrawn, hopeless, or is talking about not wanting to be here, take it seriously — ask directly, listen without judgment, and help them connect with support. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by call or text. You don't have to be in crisis to reach out — 988 is there for anyone who needs to talk.

National Prostate Health Month

September is also National Prostate Health Month — a timely reminder for men, particularly those over 50 or with a family history of prostate cancer, to talk with their doctor about screening. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, and when caught early, outcomes are significantly better. If it's been a while since your last checkup, this is a good nudge to make that appointment.

Wishing everyone a healthy and safe September!

Information from the Conway BOH is focused on our shared public health. Consult your healthcare provider for your personal healthcare guidance.

An update from the MA DPH Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health:

A heat wave is expected in Massachusetts over the next seven days. World Cup 2026 soccer events are expected to bring large crowds to Boston and across Massachusetts, including outdoor events and watch parties. Please help keep everyone safe from unhealthy heat and prevent heat-related illness. People may be exposed to heat while traveling to events, attending pre-game activities, or spending time in direct sun or crowded outdoor spaces.

Encourage people to:

• drink water
• limit alcohol
• avoid heavy activity in the heat
• take breaks in the shade or air conditioning
• keep food cold and throw it out if it was left in the heat for too long
• check on people at higher risk and share the resources below to help communities stay safe.

For more information, review guidance for workers and for employers from the Department of Labor Standards (DLS).

State Extreme Heat Resources can be found at the Extreme Heat Page: A central hub for resources, tools, and guidance to stay safe during periods of extreme heat.

They include:

• Unhealthy Heat Forecast Page: Track upcoming heat conditions in your community with a 7-day forecast and color-coded risk levels. ?
• Community Heat Resources: Find heat safety tips, shareable outreach materials, and key state resources to help residents and communities prepare for extreme heat and stay safe. ?
• Unhealthy Heat Action Toolkit: A downloadable toolkit with ready-to-use social media posts, messages, and other resources to help organizations share heat safety information and promote action during periods of unhealthy heat. ?
• Celebrate Safely This Summer: Heat and Weather Safety Tips: A collection of safety tips, guidance, and shareable materials to help people prepare for and stay safe during summer events and hot weather. ?
• Heat Resources and Guidance: Clear, targeted fact sheets for specific settings and populations vulnerable to extreme heat.

National Safety Month focuses on reducing preventable injuries. For 2026, a main focus is staying safe on the roads. Phone use and texting cause roughly 1.6 million accidents annually in the US and over 3,000 people die each year in crashes involving distracted drivers.

exting while driving makes you 23 times more likely to be involved in a car crash, making it at least as dangerous as driving while drunk. Reading or sending a text takes your eyes off the road for roughly 5 seconds, which is long enough to travel the length of a football field while going 55 mph. Eating, adjusting navigation or audio controls, and interacting with passengers while driving can each distract a driver's attention.

For better safety, silence or put away mobile devices before your drive, use a phone with hands-free features only when necessary, program navigation before starting your drive, and pull over safely if a call or task cannot wait. These practices are just as important on local streets as on highways.

Another focus for 2026 is preventing slips, trips and falls. Fall prevention measures such as bathroom grab bars and improved home lighting significantly reduce the chances of an injury. Address common fall hazards such as loose rugs and cluttered stairways. Remember also to test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and to store medications out of reach of children.

Fireworks and Fourth of July Safety:

With Independence Day approaching, be aware that consumer fireworks, including sparklers, are prohibited for personal use in Massachusetts. In 2024, there were an estimated 14,700 emergency room-treated injuries in the US and 11 reported deaths from fireworks. One third of injuries were in children under the age of 15 and 10% resulted from sparklers. Enjoy fireworks safely at public fireworks displays. When hosting outdoor cookouts, follow standard food safety guidelines: keep hot foods above 140°F and cold foods below 40°F, never leave a grill unattended, and keep children and pets away from cooking areas. Fully extinguish and cool charcoal before disposing of it.

Wishing everyone a healthy and safe time in June.

Information from the Conway BOH is focused on our shared public health. Consult your healthcare provider for your personal healthcare guidance.

Medetomidine, a veterinary sedative, mixed with fentanyl has sent thousands to hospitals, not only for overdose but for life-threatening withdrawal.

A new drug has been saturating the fentanyl supply in Philadelphia and moving to other cities throughout the East and Midwestern United States: medetomidine, a powerful veterinary sedative that causes almost instantaneous blackouts and, if not used every few hours, brings on life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.

It has created a new type of drug crisis — one that is occasioned not by overdosing on the drug, but by withdrawing from it.

Since the middle of last year, Philadelphia’s hospitals have been strained by patients coming in with what doctors have identified as medetomidine withdrawal. Although the heart rate slows drastically right after use, in withdrawal the opposite occurs: The heart rate and blood pressure become catastrophically high. Patients experience tremors and unstoppable vomiting. Many require intensive care.

In withdrawal, some patients become mute, appearing unaware as they defecate on the floor or vomit on nurses. The very high blood pressure can cause brain damage.

According to Philadelphia public health records, in the first nine months of 2025, there were 7,252 admissions to hospital emergency departments for withdrawal, compared with 2,787 for all of 2023.

Medetomidine has also been reported in Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, Florida, Missouri, Colorado, Ohio and, increasingly, in New Jersey and Delaware. Chicago had a cluster. Pittsburgh is beginning to be inundated.

From a drug dealer’s grimly economic perspective, medetomidine is a smart choice. It is mostly manufactured in China and can be purchased cheaply online from suppliers of veterinary medicine and research chemicals. It is so addictive that dealers don’t need to mix much into fentanyl.

Right after snorting, injecting or smoking fentanyl with medetomidine, users collapse.

People have such a dread of withdrawal that many refuse to go to treatment centers, which, they fear, will manage their symptoms inadequately. Some speak of making it to a hospital, only to spend hours in escalating distress, watching as patients with other emergencies — car accidents, stabbings — are taken first. In agony, they leave, to medicate themselves on the street.

For the complete article go to; A Powerful New Drug is Creating a 'Withdrawal Crisis' in Philadelphia

New Silverline Resource Directory Now Available!

We’ve just released our updated Silverline resource directory, and we’re excited to share it with you. Inside you can find information about programs and services for elders, caregivers, and people with disabilities in our community.

One of the most important services LifePath provides is on-demand access to information about programs and services for elders, caregivers, and individuals living with disabilities, ensuring people in our community have access to the wide variety of resources and supports available. The Silverline is one way we do that.

Need personalized help? Since resources are always changing, our experienced consultants are here to help you find exactly what you need. Our team can problem-solve with you and provide specific guidance beyond what’s in the directory. We even assist with resources outside Massachusetts. Contact us for more information.

A big thank you to our dedicated staff and advertising partners who made this directory possible!.

You can download the Silverline here or contact us to request a printed copy.

Recipe for a Happy and Healthy Holiday

Setting Boundaries and Forming Healthy Habits

written by Reprinted from the National Institute on Aging | November 21, 2025

Older adults have a higher chance of being affected by cold weather. Changes that come with aging can make it harder for older adults to be aware of their body becoming too cold, which can turn into a dangerous health issue quickly. Hazards of cold weather include falls on wintry surfaces; injury caused by freezing (frostbite); and hypothermia, a medical emergency that occurs when your body temperature gets too low. Being informed and taking certain actions can help lessen risks during the colder months.

Medical conditions and cold weather

Older adults are more likely to have certain chronic medical conditions that make it harder to stay warm:

- Diabetes can prevent blood from flowing normally to provide warmth.

- Thyroid problems can affect the body’s ability to maintain a normal body temperature.

- Parkinson’s disease and arthritis can make it challenging to put on more clothes, use a blanket, or get out of the cold. Memory problems can cause a person to forget to take precautions for staying weather-safe, such as wearing appropriate attire. Some medications can affect body heat, too. These include prescription medications and those bought over the counter, such as some cold medicines. Ask your doctor if medications you take may affect body heat and what you can do.

Frostbite

Frostbite is an injury to the skin caused by exposure to temperatures below freezing. Having poor blood circulation, which is common in older adults, and not wearing appropriate cold-weather clothing, can increase the risk of frostbite.

Frostbite can lead to a loss of feeling and color in the affected areas, often the hands, feet, nose, and ears. If you notice redness or pain in any skin area, this may be a sign that frostbite is beginning. Protect any exposed skin and get out of the cold as quickly as possible to prevent it from getting worse.

What is hypothermia?

Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature drops below 95°F. It is often caused by exposure to cold temperatures and can lead to serious health problems, such as arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), heart failure, and damage to the kidneys or liver.

Hypothermia can also occur at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if you become chilled from rain, sweat, or being in cold water. Hypothermia affects the brain and makes it difficult to think clearly, so people may not realize what is happening and that they need help. It’s important to be aware of warning signs and early symptoms, including:

- Cold feet and hands

- Puffy or swollen face

- Pale skin Shivering or shaking

- Slowed or slurred speech

- Feeling sleepy, angry, or confused

If the exposure to cold continues, later symptoms of hypothermia can include stiff and jerky arm and leg movements, slow heartbeat or breathing, loss of consciousness, and eventually, death. Hypothermia is a medical emergency. If someone is showing signs of hypothermia, call 911 right away. Try to move the person to a warmer place, offer them a warm drink, and wrap them in dry blankets, towels, or coats.

Preventing unsafe exposure to cold outdoors

Here are some tips for keeping warm when the temperature drops outside:

- Check the weather forecast for windy and cold days. A heavy wind can quickly lower your body temperature—try to stay inside or in a warm place.

- If you must go out on windy, cold, or damp days, don’t stay outside for long.

- Let others know when you’re planning to spend time outdoors and carry a fully charged mobile phone.

- Keep warm blankets and extra cold-weather clothing in your car. Wear a hat, scarf, and gloves or mittens to prevent loss of body heat through your head and hands. Also consider using disposable or rechargeable hand- and foot-warming products.

- Wear warm and loose layers of clothing. The air between the layers helps to keep you warm.

- Wear a waterproof coat or jacket if it’s snowy or rainy.

- Change out of damp or wet clothes as soon as you can.

Avoiding falls in cold weather

To help reduce the risk of falls in icy and snowy weather during the winter months, it’s important to ensure that surfaces are as dry and safe as possible.

- Keep outside walkways clear of snow and ice with an ice melt product or sand.

- Avoid shoveling snow yourself when possible. In addition to the risk of falling, there is a risk of heart attack for older adults while shoveling snow.

- Use railings to help avoid slipping on icy stairs and walkways.

- Wear nonskid, rubber-soled, low-heeled footwear.

- If possible, stay inside when the weather is bad. Consider using services that deliver prescriptions, groceries, and other necessities so you don’t need to go out.

Staying warm indoors

About 20% of injuries related to exposure to cold occur in the home. Here are some tips to help keep warm:

- Set your heat to at least 68°F. Even mildly cool homes with temperatures from 60 to 65°F can lead to hypothermia in older adults.

- Place a rolled towel in front of doors to keep out drafts.

- Keep your blinds and curtains closed, and if you have gaps around the windows, try using weather stripping or caulk to keep the cold air out.

- Dress warmly on cold days, even if you are staying inside. Wear socks and slippers and make use of throw blankets.

- When you go to sleep, use extra covers. Wear long underwear under your pajamas and consider wearing a head covering.

- Make sure you eat enough food to maintain your weight—some body fat is necessary for staying warm.

- Avoid or limit alcohol intake. Alcoholic drinks can make you lose body heat.

- Ask someone to check on you during cold weather. If a power outage leaves you without heat, try to stay with a relative or friend.

You may be tempted to warm your room with a portable space heater, but some space heaters are fire hazards or can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. The Consumer Product Safety Commission provides more information on the use of space heaters.

The above is reprinted from the National Institute on Aging.

An update for people struggling to pay their heating bills: While the federal government shutdown has ended, the Community Action Pioneer Valley’s (CAPV) Fuel Assistance program continues to operate on an emergency-only basis as it awaits the release of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding.

Clinging and Craving - The Secret of How Ticks Attach

Recovery Support Resources

The following services are available to Conway residents in recovery from substance use disorder through the town’s opioid settlement funds and additional grant funding awarded to the Cooperative Public Health Service.

All Recovery Meetings are non-denominational and open to all pathways to recovery. Meeting format is focused on peer support and invites participants to reflect on and share what they are doing for their recovery. Topics are chosen by meeting participants. Each participant is given the opportunity to share their challenges, as well as what is working for them.

• Weekly All-Recovery Meetings:

  • Monday 7-8pm - Erving Library or on Zoom (Meeting ID: 4137745489 Password: 7745489)

  • Friday 7:30-8:30pm - Trinity Church, Shelburne Falls or on Zoom (Meeting ID: 4137745489 Password: 7745489)

Recovery Coaches offer 1:1 support to people in substance use recovery to build their recovery capital. This involves mentoring on their chosen pathway of recovery, connecting them to the recovery community and resources, and creating a climate of recovery through language and modeling recovery values.

• Weekly Recovery Coach drop-in hours:

  • Monday 6-7pm - Erving Library

  • Thursday 9:30-10:30am - Trinity Church, Shelburne Falls

  • Friday 3:30-4:30pm - Buckland Public Library

  • Friday 6:30-7:30pm - Trinity Church, Shelburne Falls

All Recovery Meetings and Recovery Coaches are provided by The Recover Project (recoverproject.org).

Moms Do Care (momsdocare.org) is a statewide program designed to provide support for pregnant and parenting people impacted by substance use disorder. The program is available to people who are 18 or older, have a history of substance misuse and are pregnant or parenting a child 36 months or younger. The location closest to Conway is the Moms Do Care program at Baystate Franklin Medical Center.

Please share these resources with friends and family who may benefit from accessing them.

Information from the Conway BOH is focused on our shared public health. Please consult your healthcare provider for your personal healthcare guidance.

At the current time, there are over 900 cases of Measles in the US. No cases have been detected to date in Massachusetts, however cases have been confirmed in Vermont, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey, as well as elsewhere across the country.

Important information to know:

• Measles outbreaks occur mostly among unvaccinated individuals

• Vaccines are safe and provide very effective long-term protection against Measles

• The risk of getting Measles is extremely low for vaccinated individuals

• Measles vaccination rates are very high in Massachusetts, though lower in Western Mass

Measles is a highly contagious virus that is spread by respiratory droplets. Approximately 90% of unvaccinated people who are exposed will become ill.

Measles looks and feels like a cold or the flu at first. A cough, high fever, runny nose and red, watery eyes are common. A few days later, a red, blotchy rash starts on the face, and then spreads to the rest of the body. Measles often causes diarrhea and ear infections.

While most people fully recover, serious complications can occur, including death. Measles can cause pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and encephalitis (swelling of the brain), resulting in long term disabilities such as deafness, blindness, seizure disorders and other brain disorders.

Measles is most dangerous for children under 5 years of age, adults over 20 years of age, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

For more information, go to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website to learn more about the signs and symptoms of infection, the risk of infection based on vaccination status or likely immunity from childhood infection. A printable Fact Sheet can be found on the website.

What to do now:

• Check your vaccination status

• Contact your healthcare provider for specific concerns or if you need guidance about vaccination

• Learn the signs and symptoms of a possible Measles infection

With thanks to the Cambridge Public Health Department for their March 21, 2025 posting on Measles, from which some of this information was taken.

Information from the Conway BOH is focused on our shared public health. Please consult your healthcare provider for your personal healthcare guidance.

The Town of Conway has contracted with the Cooperative Public Health Service (CPHS) of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) to provide a comprehensive public health program.

The Cooperative Public Health Service (CPHS) of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) serves as the Health Department for the Town of Conway. The Health Agents, Public Health Nurses and Community Health Educator provide environmental health inspections, communicable disease investigation and prevention, code enforcement, education, wellness, and special programs; CPHS staff work closely with members of the Town Board of Health on these matters. For further information, and for a CPHS staff listing and contact details, please see the CPHS website.

March 20, 2023 By Amy Pemberton, Technical Assistance Provider, Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (SERCAP)

This is an age-old question that owners of septic systems seem to ask one another. Although misguided, there seems to be some sense of pride of ownership that the longer one can go without pumping their septic tank, the better, more robust system they must have. Not so. Please tell all of your friends!

A septic tank system needs regular maintenance, just like your car needs oil changes and spark plugs replaced, just like your HVAC system needs filters replaced and periodic checks by professionals. Think of your septic system as you would any other household system that needs some care and upkeep. Household wastewater contains disease-causing bacteria and viruses, as well as high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. If a septic system is well-maintained and working properly, it will remove most of these pollutants. If not, a malfunctioning septic system can be a public health and environmental hazard by allowing exposure of harmful contaminants to humans, pets and the natural world. Not to mention, it is a violation of the law.

Figure from EPA

Conventional septic systems are designed to be relatively low maintenance, but low maintenance does not equate to NO maintenance. A septic tank system is essentially comprised of five basic components:

1. A household collection system that removes all sewage from the dwelling and transports it out into the holding tank, or septic tank.
2. The septic tank is where the treatment of the waste begins, and its routine maintenance is an important step in the functional lifespan of your system. From the septic tank, the liquid portion of the sewage, called effluent, exits the septic tank, and moves out to the third component.
3. A distribution box, as the name implies, this box equally distributes the effluent as it moves out into the fourth component,
4. A drain field or absorption trenches.
5. Lastly is the soil, in which your septic system is installed, is the final step of treatment for a conventional septic system.

The septic tank works to “sort” the household waste as it allows for the contents to settle and separate. The solids settle down to the bottom of the tank, while the fats, oils, and greases float to the top. This action ideally results in no solids moving out into the drain field where they can potentially clog up the absorption trenches. If too much water is introduced into the septic tank at one time (i.e.., multiple consecutive loads of laundry), this can disrupt the settling time and potentially result in solids moving out into your drain field. Adequate settling time is important, so it is vital to keep this in mind in your routine household activities. Over time, the solids at the bottom of the tank accumulate and need to be removed. If the tank is not pumped out every three to five years, the holding capacity, and the ability to separate the waste will be diminished, thus creating a situation in which solids can more easily move into the drain field.

Septic tanks contain naturally occurring anaerobic bacteria which help break down solids in the tank and support the biological processes that treat human waste. Some people believe that they can reduce the frequency of septic tank pump outs by introducing “additives” to their septic system. There are different types of additives on the market. Biological additives add more bacteria to the tank, and in doing so, can create conditions in which the bacterial populations compete against each other, potentially causing negative effects. Enzymes are another type of septic tank additive. The enzymes are thought to aid in the breakdown of certain types of solids and limit the buildup of the scum layer (fats, oils, greases). Additives claiming to eliminate the need for pumping usually re-suspend solids, moving them to the drain field, thus clogging lines and leading to system failure. Septic tank additives are not regulated and there is no scientific evidence to support their benefit. A healthy septic tank should not need any additives, but again, it does need routine inspection and pumping every three to five years.

Some general rules of the road when it comes to caring for your septic system:

• Use less water. Space out laundry sessions throughout the week. This avoids overloading the system over a short period of time. Be sure to notice any leaking toilets or dripping faucets and repair them right away.
• Keep toxic chemicals from going down the drain. Properly dispose of solvents, paint, varnish, oil, and pesticides, instead of putting them down the drain. Use bleach and household cleaners sparingly.
• Keep solids out. Cigarettes, left over medications, handwipes, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, tissues, kitty litter, and other solid items should go into the trash, not your septic system. Left over medications could kill the “good” bacteria in your tank.
• Keep grease and fat out of your kitchen drain. Pour the oil into a container and dispose of it in the trash.
• Limit use of garbage disposal. Using a garbage disposal increases the amount of water and solids in your septic tank, requiring more frequent pumping.
• Divert runoff and drainage water. Never drain swimming pools or hot tubs into your septic system or drain field. Downspouts and roof runoff should be directed away from your drain field to limit hydraulically overloading the soil.

Regular maintenance pump fees can average between $250 to $500. This expense every three to five years is a bargain compared to the cost of repairing or replacing a failing septic system. Replacement costs can range from $5,000 to $20,000 or more depending on the type of system needed. A well designed, healthy septic system that is properly cared for should last a homeowner 20-30 years or more. Your septic system is a silent partner in keeping your home life humming. As lovable as your car, which you maintain regularly and as just as aggravating when it breaks down?! To find more information about being Septic Smart, go to: https://www.epa.gov/septic/septicsmart-week-quick-tip-videos.

By Amy Pemberton, Technical Assistance Provider, Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (SERCAP)